Sage Turner, Asheville City Council

08/12/2026

FLOCK update.
Aug 12, 2026.

There's been additional questions and concerns about Flock cameras owned and operated by the City of Asheville. Yes, the one destroyed in the park recently was owned by COA.

I supported the contract switch to Axon with the caveat that the Flock contract would end and all COA owned Flock cameras would be removed. One camera would stay up to maintain the contract through February, then be removed. I also suggested we point the lone camera at a wall until February.

To this end, I've requested an update from APD and city staff with detail on how many COA flock cameras remain and the timeline for their removal. All of Council will receive the update by end of week. If the update says anything more than 1 camera, I'll be contacting my colleagues and back on socials with next steps.

I do not support the City of Asheville maintaining and using Flock cameras.

08/12/2026

🚆 REGIONAL PRIORITY PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: WNC PASSENGER RAIL

Could passenger trains return to Asheville?

The proposed Western North Carolina Passenger Rail project would upgrade the existing rail corridor between Asheville and Salisbury to support future intercity passenger rail service.

From Salisbury, passengers could connect to North Carolina’s growing passenger rail network, with connections toward Charlotte, the Triad, the Triangle, and destinations throughout the East Coast.

Passenger rail could:
🚆 Give Western North Carolina another way to travel
🏔️ Better connect our mountain communities to the rest of the state
📈 Support tourism and local businesses
🛣️ Provide an alternative to driving on I-40

What’s the status?
The project is still in the planning and development process. It is not yet ready for construction or passenger service, but it has been identified as a regional transportation priority by the French Broad River MPO.

As part of North Carolina’s current transportation prioritization process, the MPO is proposing to award the project the maximum number of Regional Impact Local Input Points available to our region in order to enhance the project's chances of being awarded funding.

💬 Want to weigh in? Submit your comments through August 19:

[email protected]

08/05/2026

Asheville's (most recent) transit dilemma:

✍️ Jesse Swords

06/10/2026

06/05/2026

Up next: data center moratorium.

The first step will be the Planning and Economic Development Committee June 16 2026, 1pm

That will be the first viewing of the proposal and include a presentation. From there, it will advance to the next Council meeting.

Asheville officials will hear about a "framework" to pause data center development during the Planning Economic Development and Environment Committee's June 16 meeting.

06/03/2026

"The City of Asheville and the French Broad MPO approached us about doing a partnership to try to improve some bicycle and pedestrian facilities while we were doing our resurfacing project," NCDOT deputy division engineer Chris Deyton said in part.
https://wlos.com/news/local/haywood-road-asheville-west-safety-bicycle-lanes-pedestrian-crossing-ada-ramps-traffic-patton-avenue-ridgelawn-road-paving-community-ncdot-north-carolina-department-transportation-wnc

05/29/2026

📣NOW ANNOUNCING: Asheville Recovers Together Small Business Grants!

To support continued recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, Asheville Recovers Together is launching a $14 million small business grant program to help local businesses stabilize, rebuild, and move forward.

💰 Grants from $5,000 to $75,000 will be available to eligible businesses located within Asheville city limits that experienced financial losses due to the storm.

📣 Applications will open June 15 at noon!

💫This program is funded by Asheville City Government and administered by Mountain BizWorks, Arts AVL, and Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation

Follow along for updates, eligibility information, and resources to help you prepare your application.

🔗 Learn more and get updates: ashevillerecoverstogether.org

05/29/2026

I took a group on a tour recently and we had great, frank discussion. It's a worthwhile opportunity if you are curious or concerned about the recent grant and crime response center (RTIC).

Also, expect us to release a copy of the draft contract in June. Council assigned parameters and limitations, the legal teams have been drafting, and I'll be posting it for input here.

Lastly, social media is not the only place to discuss this. You can always reach out to me directly via phone, text, email. A lot of the questions I get start with, 'i saw on Facebook...' and 'is what I saw online true?' And often, unfortunately, the info they received is not accurate.

I'll keep offering information here.
And answering questions as I can.
In the meantime, consider scheduling a tour!

We’re excited to begin offering bi-weekly Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) Tours & Education Sessions at the Asheville Police Department, starting Thursday, June 4th, from 2–4 PM over the next several months. These sessions will provide a behind-the-scenes look at our work and create opportunities for education and community engagement. If you are interested, please contact 828.259.5881 to schedule an appointment.

05/21/2026

05/19/2026

If you're into affordable housing and how it navigates through the city, Asheville For All has a good write up on recent projects. One made it through. One didn't.

Last week, two apartment complexes with 100% below market rate homes went to Asheville City Council. Only one survived the meeting.

Get the details in our recap: https://ashevilleforall.org/2026-05-16-city-council-recap.html